The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Benjamin Hundeyin, has reacted publicly after influencer Papaya Ex alleged she was assaulted by a police officer in Lagos.
The socialite had earlier taken to social media to display a visible bruise on her face, claiming it was inflicted by a police officer during an encounter in the early hours of the morning.
Responding to the allegations, Hundeyin shared the police account of what happened before the incident escalated.
According to him, the situation began around 2 a.m. when officers on night patrol stopped a vehicle carrying three men and two women for a routine check. He claimed Papaya Ex refused to allow the officers search the car.
He quoted her as saying:
“You cannot search my car. Don’t you know Papaya? Even your bosses know me.”
Hundeyin explained that she chose to proceed to the police station instead of allowing the search on the spot. He said an officer then entered her vehicle after initial resistance, while the patrol van followed behind.
However, the situation reportedly changed while they were on the move.
According to the police spokesperson, she allegedly instructed her driver to speed off, forcing officers to radio another patrol team ahead to intercept the vehicle.
He wrote:
“She instructed her driver to speed off, leaving the patrol vehicle far behind. At that rate, the patrol van was going to lose them. The police had to radio the patrol team far ahead to intercept them. Then the live began…”
Hundeyin added that the Lagos State Police Command would continue handling the matter. The incident has since triggered heated reactions online, with many Nigerians demanding clarity over what truly happened during the encounter.
As of now, investigations are ongoing, and authorities say further updates will be provided as the case develops.